Leadership Experience
President: January 2020 – Present
During my tenure as president of the Fredericksburg Spinners and Weavers Guild (FSWG), the guild faced the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, I took a leadership role in guiding and advocating for the modernization of our guild and the integration of technology into our operations. With determination and foresight, I championed the adoption of digital tools, virtual meetings, and online collaboration platforms. This proactive approach ensured that our guild not only survived but thrived in these trying times. By embracing innovation and advocating for change, we not only maintained our operations but also opened up new avenues for growth and outreach. Embracing these necessary changes, I am proud to say that we emerged from this crisis stronger and more connected than ever before.
Communications and Online Presence
Communications Director/Newsletter Editor/Website Administrator: 2014 – Present
As the website administrator for our guild, I played a pivotal role in establishing and enhancing our online presence. I created and managed the guild’s official website at https://fswguild.org, ensuring it served as a central hub for information, updates, and resources. Additionally, I took charge of our communication accounts, effectively managing our online interactions and engagement. To modernize our newsletter creation process, I introduced desktop publishing software, streamlining its design and production. However, recognizing the evolving digital landscape, I led an initiative to integrate the newsletter directly into our website, making it more accessible to our members and the public. Beyond the website, I also initiated the establishment of our guild’s presence on social media platforms, successfully launching and managing our Facebook and Instagram accounts to foster community engagement and outreach. Through these efforts, we have strengthened our guild’s online footprint and connectivity in today’s digital age.
Teaching and Education
Various Volunteer Opportunities: 2010 – Present
Despite not being an educator by trade, my volunteer efforts in sharing my expertise have showcased my ability to adapt and impart knowledge effectively. Whether I’m demonstrating the art of spinning yarn at community events and local schools, all while connecting it to mechanical engineering principles, or teaching various crafting skills at industry-recognized knitting conferences, I have consistently volunteered my time and knowledge to benefit others. My approach, combining hands-on experiences with digital media, has made these learning opportunities engaging and accessible to diverse audiences. Through my volunteer work, I’ve not only enriched the understanding of these crafts but also fostered a sense of community and shared learning that goes beyond traditional education.
In my volunteer efforts, I have a particular passion for highlighting STEM education, especially when engaging with young audiences. Recognizing that fiber arts are often seen as traditionally belonging to the realm of “women’s work,” I seize the opportunity to break these stereotypes and connect the fascinating process of spinning yarn to STEM topics. By doing so, I aim to inspire young minds, regardless of their gender, to explore the scientific and engineering aspects behind this age-old craft. It’s a way of demonstrating that STEM is not confined to any particular field but is an integral part of our everyday lives, even in unexpected places like fiber arts. My goal is to ignite curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM education, showing that it can be found in the most unexpected and creative corners of our world.